Deron Williams out until after All-Star Break

Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams will sit tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers and Wednesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets with synovitis (inflammation of the ankle joint lining) in both ankles, the Brooklyn Nets announced today. Williams received platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on both ankles today and the Nets expect him back in action after the All-Star break on February 19th against the Milwaukee Bucks.

After a rough start to the season, Williams, the Nets’ captain and maximum-contract point guard, appeared to be back to his old self in January, averaging 18.3 points and 8.3 assists on 45.6% shooting (42% from 3) in the month, before seeing his numbers dip again in February as the team began to struggle again. On the season, Williams has averaged 16.7 points and 7.6 assists in 36.5 minutes per game.

Williams has noted issues with bone spurs in his ankles early in the season, something that Nets general manager Billy King said Williams would get “cleaned up” after the season, but has not had issues with synovitis until this point.